for sojourners and exiles, dearly beloved (1 Pet. 2:11)

Posts Tagged ‘Language’

For all you young men and women struggling to learn the ancient languages, here’s some encouragement from one Martin Luther. Your battle is not in vain.

Without languages we could not have received the Gospel. Languages are the scabbard that contains the sword of the Spirit; they are the casket which contains the priceless jewels of antique thought; they are the vessel that holds the wine; and as the gospel says, they are the baskets in which the loaves and fishes are kept to feed the multitude.

If we neglect the literature we shall eventually lose the gospel . . . no sooner did men cease to cultivate the languages the Christendom declined, even until it fell under the undisputed dominion of the pope. But no sooner was this torch relighted, than this papal owl feld with a shriek into congenial gloom

. . . In former times the fathers were frequently mistaken, because they were ignorant of the languages and in our days there are some who, like the Waldenses, do not think the languages of any use; but although their doctrine is good, they have often erred in the real meaning of the sacred text; they are without arms against error, I and fear much that their faith will not remain pure.” – Luther